Vice presidential candidate Senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” R. Marcos, Jr. today called for strict implementation of environmental regulations in tourist destinations in the country to preserve the ecological balance and ensure a steady livelihood for local residents earning their living from tourism-related businesses.

Among others, Marcos said the national government and concerned local government units must join forces to regulate the construction of resorts and other establishments to ensure they won’t mar the natural beauty of tourist sites and prevent pollution.

“Many resorts are being constructed without proper planning so they oftentimes result in the destruction of the natural habitats of marine resources and depletion of fisheries and other marine animals. They should be strictly regulated because the ecological balance should be ensured and protected as we develop our tourist spots,” he pointed out.

Marcos made the statement over the weekend in the City of Puerto Princesa in Palawan where he was the guest of honor and speaker of the city’s 144th founding anniversary and its “Balayong Festival”.

Home of the famous Underground River and boasting of crystal blue waters, Palawan has been named by US travel magazine Conde Nast Traveler as the world’s best island for second straight year in 2015.

Marcos added it is also important to enlist the help of local residents in protecting their tourist sites.

“When it is clear to our people that our tourist sites are the source of their livelihood, you don’t need to tell them to protect the sites because they themselves will guard them and will make sure that no one will destroy these areas,” he said.

As three-term governor of Ilocos Norte, Marcos spearheaded programs that have made the province into one of the top tourist destinations in the country as well as the pioneer of renewable and environment-friendly sources of energy like the windmills and the mini-hydro power plant.

Marcos has been pushing for concerted government efforts to promote tourism in the country, which he said will spur economic development with dollar earnings and create businesses and jobs that cater to the needs of visitors to our country.

To accomplish this, Marcos said the next administration must focus its efforts, among others, on improving the quality and capacity of our ports and airports, roads to tourist sites, and on ensuring adequate, reliable and cheaper supply of electricity.